Talkin' dollars and sense

Post Falls wants to know what's on your mind in terms of how your tax dollars should be spent by the city.

While the city council won't hold the public hearing on the budget until August, now is a good time to weigh in on priorities and comment as the council holds workshops to organize the budget, said Jason Faulkner, the city's finance director.

"As we begin the planning process for the fiscal year 2015 and 2016 ... citizens are invited to share their thoughts on how we create a balanced budget that addresses city services and remains fiscally responsible," he said.

The budget survey is available at www.postfallsidaho.org with a link on the home page and on the city's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cityofpostfalls.

Printed copies are also available in the Finance Department on the second floor of City Hall, 408 N. Spokane St.

The survey's questions include:

* What services should be the highest priorities?

* How would you spend a budget dollar if you were on the city council?

* What, if any, new services should the city implement?

* Are there services that the city should stop providing?

* What should be done for a more transparent budget process?

"I think having input early-on in the budget process is better than later on," Faulkner said.

Budget workshops are open to the public, but public comments are not accepted at that time.

The topics that are debated during the budget process include whether to increase taxes, allow pay increases to employees, possible improvement projects, equipment needs, whether positions should be added or cut and employee benefits.